AFM: Trinity Film Picks Feng Xiaogang’s ‘Youth’ for U.K. Release

Trinity Filmed Entertainment has picked up all rights in the U.K. to Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s drama “Youth.” Trinity plans to release it in U.K. theaters by the end of the year.

The film, which premiered in Toronto, follows a group of youngsters as they grow up with an army performance troupe. Running through a period of sensitive recent history, including China’s war with Vietnam, it was scheduled to have been released in China on Oct. 1.

However, with only days to go before the release, the film’s outing was halted, with little explanation either from cinema regulators, or producers. Its sensitive subject and proximity to the Communist Party’s National Party Congress, appear to be the explanation. Now the film is headed for release in December, though has not been given a firm date.

“We’re humbled to be bringing such a powerful and insightful epic into China’s recent history to U.K. audiences, from one of the tour-de-force directors of our times,” said Trinity’s Cedric Behrel.

The deal was struck between Behrel and Robin Grbich at Trinity, with Callum Grant and Michael Rothstein at IM Global, which is handling the film at the American Film Market.